Welcome
My name is Kayla and I live in North Lake Tahoe, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Along with snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking, paddleboarding, traveling, and hanging out with bunnies, I love to read, write, and drink coffee.
As a full-time freelance writer, I regularly contribute to the Tahoe Quarterly, Sierra Nevada Ally, Tahoe Daily Tribune/Sierra Sun, the IVCBA's Live.Work.Play. magazine, and Enjoy magazine. To see samples of my work, view all of my recent articles here. I’ve also written a few books.
4/8/26- The Best of California State Parks is out now! From rocky coastal coves and sandy beaches to verdant forests and quiet desert camps, experience the natural wonders of the Golden State with Moon Best of California State Parks! Inside you’ll find:
- Coverage of 50 California state parks and historic sites, organized by region
- Strategic lists and itineraries: Choose from lists of the best parks for hiking, wildlife, history, families, scenic drives, and more or make your way down the list of the top ten adventures throughout the state
- The best outdoor recreation and unique experiences: Wander among towering redwoods, relax on a sandy SoCal beach, or set up camp in the Mojave Desert. Paddleboard the sparkling blue waters of Lake Tahoe, immerse yourself in California’s past at a state historic park, or hike coastal bluffs with stunning views of the Pacific
- Regional state parks road trips that strategically combine nearby parks in Northern, Central, and Southern California
- Detailed hike descriptions marked with distance, duration, effort level, and trailheads
- Expert advice from California locals Jenna Blough and Kayla Anderson on when to go, where to stay, and how to avoid crowds
- Know before you go: Find essential background on climate, terrain, wildlife, history, and safety precautions, plus practical information on park fees, passes, and reservations
- Gorgeous, full-color photos and maps throughout.
Recent press and upcoming events regarding Best of CASP:
Upcoming Events-
4/7/26- I will be on the Sierra Nevada Ally podcast with Noah Glick talking about the best California state parks!
5/14/26- Best of CASP Launch Party at the Riverside Gallery in Reno presented by the Sierra Arts Foundation, 6pm-7:30pm
9/15/26- Author Talk about Traveling at the Incline Village Library at 5pm.
Recent Press & Past Events-
4/11/26- I gave a fun talk on my favorite state parks to stargaze at during the 2026 Truckee Literary Crawl! THANK YOU to the 25-plus people who showed up!
Best of California State Parks by Moon Travel Guides- Bookworm for Kids, March 2026
New guide spotlights California park treasures- MSN (Curated by AI), April 2026
Best Places to Camp in California- Moon Travel Guides, March 2026
“Local author creates guide to California State Parks”- Tahoe Daily Tribune/Sierra Sun, March 2026
“Tahoe writer Kayla Anderson co-authors ‘Moon Best of California State Parks’ travel guide”—Tahoe Guide, March 2026
"Sugar Pine Point State Park changes the name of campground"- Sierra Sun, July 2025
About Northern California Road Trips :
Stuart Thornton and I have the second edition of Northern California Road Trips in stores now, with the third edition coming out this November. It is the perfect companion for a trip around Northern California, spelling out where to go, what to see, and what to do in the state's coastal and inland regions. This comprehensive guide also includes a variety of maps, images, and information about national parks such as Lassen, Crater Lake, Yosemite, and more. I hope you enjoy reading Northern California Road Trips as much as I enjoyed writing it and that you find a place (or a few) that you connect with.
Follow me on Instagram to see what I'm currently up to.
Thanks for stopping by!
Kayla
